Swedish American two-time Olympic pole vault champion Armand Duplantis was not in attendance at the Little League World Series, but the words of the world record holder (20 feet, 8 inches) gave testament to what was unfolding on the pristine fields at the South Williamsport complex.

As the crowd rose for the playing of the National Anthem, the sight of the large American flag fluttering from the center field flagpole echoed Duplantis’s once-stated observation, “Music and sports are the two things that bring people together in the best way.”

While baseball was about to be played, the flag was hoisted at half-mast in tribute to the passing of beloved country music legend Dolly Parton, who joined the chorus above at age 80 last week.

Traversing the World Series complex, Parton’s fame and accomplishments were on the minds of many.

Rising from humble beginnings in East Tennessee, her career as a singer-songwriter, actress, and entrepreneur earned her the title ‘Queen of Country.’ She earned eleven Grammy Awards, three Emmy Awards, and became one of the best-selling music artists of all time with more than 100 million records sold.

As a fan of country music, years ago I tried in vain to bring Parton to the Williamsport area while serving the local Lycoming County United Way.

Spurred by her father’s inability to read, one of her most beloved projects was the Imagination Library, a program she began dedicated to inspiring a love of reading by giving books free of charge to children from birth to age five. Our United Way became a distribution point in this area. I thought it would be a great idea to have her perform at the Community Arts Center and promote the book project. Needless to say, that attempt didn’t get to first base, but we did participate in the program for several years.

While Parton never saw the Little League World Series or perform in this immediate area, she is remembered for some memorable sports-related performances.

On Thanksgiving 2023, she gave everyone watching the Dallas Cowboys’ holiday game something to talk about. She wore a custom Cowboys cheerleading outfit during the halftime show and drew rave reviews for her energy.

Admitting she was nervous about the performance, she stated, “Well, at my age, if I can pull it off, it’s going to be good. And if I don’t, I can just pass it off as an old woman doing a stupid thing.”

Every Tennessee girl knows the lyrics to “Rocky Top”, the unofficial fight song of the University of Tennessee. Once escorted to the field by Peyton Manning, she electrified the crowd by delivering one of the great ‘Rocky Top’ renditions of all time, calling it “an honor to be here; I love the crowd. It was just good to be home.”

Race car driver Tyler Reddick drove a pink and white Chevrolet Camaro, decked out with Dolly’s likeness and signature at the Bristol Motor Speedway in 2019. He finished second in the race, but #1 in the hearts of racing fans.

Parton maintained a deep connection to her Tennessee roots in many spots related ways. She was there to support her high school alma mater, Sevier County High School, when they won state championships in girls’ basketball and again when the school’s football team won a state title.

Her onstage look was designed to command attention. Her iconic style — platinum-blonde, sky-high, oversized hairdo, skin-tight outfits with electric colors was instantly recognizable. Describing her look, she once explained:

“I make jokes about it, but it’s the truth that I kind of patterned my look after the town trap. I didn’t know what she was, just the woman who was blond and piled her hair up, wore high heels and tight skirts, and, boy, she was the prettiest thing I’d ever seen. Momma used to say, “Aw, she’s just trash,” and I thought that’s what I want to be when I grow up. Trash”

Dolly Parton was one of a kind, beloved by millions, as that half-mast flag would attest. Perhaps the best way to remember her is from the words she used to describe herself. Laugh along with her.

“It cost me lots of money to look this cheap”

“My weaknesses have always been food and men – in that order.”

I’m not offended by dumb blonde jokes because I know I’m not dumb…I also know that I’m not a blonde.”

“I have a pretty good skin condition considering my age, and I think a lot of it is mineral oil and bacon grease.”

“It’s a good thing I was born a girl, otherwise I’d be a drag queen.”

“I tried every diet in the book. I tried some that weren’t in the book. I tried eating the book. It tasted better than most of the diets.”

“People always ask me how long it takes to do my hair. I don’t know, I’m never there.”

“I was the first woman to burn my bra – it took the fire department four days to put it out.”

RIP Dolly Parton.